CPU warranty?

[vtqanh]

1. Has anyone ever tried to obtain warranty from AMD? (i.e ask them to replace a CPU) How was your experience?
2. About using HSF, how do they even tell if you were not using the retail HSF?

 

[TheStu]

1. no
2. maybe if the thermal pad on the bottom of the sink isn't messed up? I have heard though that theyt are pretty lenient when it comes to taht if you are honest... you "i got the retail but order and aftermarket cooler and followed the installation guide exactly. My temps never enet over whatever and now the chip isn't working after 6 months...." Just be honest...

 

[Aries64]

1. Has anyone ever tried to obtain warranty from AMD? (i.e ask them to replace a CPU) How was your experience?

Nope. My FX-53 is the first AMD chip I've ever used in 10 systems I've built for myself and friends.

2. About using HSF, how do they even tell if you were not using the retail HSF?

They cannot tell if you were using the Retail HSF or not (unless you send the HSF in with your CPU you are attempting warranty service on and the thermal pad is intact). I don't know for sure, but they may ask you to send in the HSF along with the CPU.

I say this because I called AMD to ask them if I would void my warranty if I used the Thermaltake A1772 instead of my stock HSF. The A1772 is basically a stock HSF with an all copper HS, and the tech people know this, so its' no big deal to AMD if you use this. The tech guy I spoke to said "no" but that I should be sure to hold onto the stock HSF because I will need that for warranty service if I ever need it.This is why I wonder if AMD will require someone to send in the CPU and the stock HSF together. The CPU and HSF are serial number matched.

For this reason, I would never buy a used AMD chip without the HSF and CPU serial numbers matched. You could be screwed for a warranty.I point this out because I saw a used "Retail" FX-55 for sale on Ebay. The guy had a Retail box with the CPU, but said he had sold the HSF. Without the HSF there is no way you can prove that the CPU is a Retail unit with the three-year warranty. Sure, AMD might be able to go through all their serial numbers to check for you, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Its' not their responsibilty, and that goes WAY beyond even the most exemplary customer service.

 

[vtqanh]

Originally posted by: Aries64

1. Has anyone ever tried to obtain warranty from AMD? (i.e ask them to replace a CPU) How was your experience?

Nope. My FX-53 is the first AMD chip I've ever used in 10 systems I've built for myself and friends.

2. About using HSF, how do they even tell if you were not using the retail HSF?

They cannot tell if you were using the Retail HSF or not (unless you send the HSF in with your CPU you are attempting warranty service on and the thermal pad is intact). I don't know for sure, but they may ask you to send in the HSF along with the CPU.

I say this because I called AMD to ask them if I would void my warranty if I used the Thermaltake A1772 instead of my stock HSF. The A1772 is basically a stock HSF with an all copper HS, and the tech people know this, so its' no big deal to AMD if you use this. The tech guy I spoke to said "no" but that I should be sure to hold onto the stock HSF because I will need that for warranty service if I ever need it.This is why I wonder if AMD will require someone to send in the CPU and the stock HSF together. The CPU and HSF are serial number matched.

For this reason, I would never buy a used AMD chip without the HSF and CPU serial numbers matched. You could be screwed for a warranty.I point this out because I saw a used "Retail" FX-55 for sale on Ebay. The guy had a Retail box with the CPU, but said he had sold the HSF. Without the HSF there is no way you can prove that the CPU is a Retail unit with the three-year warranty. Sure, AMD might be able to go through all their serial numbers to check for you, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Its' not their responsibilty, and that goes WAY beyond even the most exemplary customer service.

AMD warranty stated that the warranty is non-transferrable (applies only to original purchaser), which means warranty does not apply to retail AMD chips that were bought from somebody on Ebay or some message board (such as AT).

 

[Aries64]

AMD warranty stated that the warranty is non-transferrable (applies only to original purchaser), which means warranty does not apply to retail AMD chips that were bought from somebody on Ebay or some message board (such as AT).

Yes, this is true. However, sometimes if you have the box and all other related partsa manufacturer MAY not necessarilly require you to provide proof of original purchase.

As I stated in my original reply to the OP I spoke to a tech - and I actually also spoke to someone in customer service at AMD about what would be required for warranty. I asked about sending in proof of purchase and they said the CPU and the HSF would be enough (matched serial numbers). In this case then, all that MAY be required would be just those two items.

This was the gist of my conversation with two different people at AMD - one in Tech and another in Customer Service. It was easy to "read between the lines" of what both individuals said. No matter what, I am covered, as I am the original purchaser.

Please bear in mind that this is what I was told on the telephone and that I have not had to get warranty service at all. Therefore, anyone who is reading this post please do not take this as the gospel on AMD's warranty.

EDIT: BTW vtqanh, why are you asking this question? Are you the original purchaser? Do you need to RMA a CPU that you are worried they won't cover? If so, what makes you think AMD might not cover it under warranty?

 

[vtqanh]

Originally posted by: Aries64

AMD warranty stated that the warranty is non-transferrable (applies only to original purchaser), which means warranty does not apply to retail AMD chips that were bought from somebody on Ebay or some message board (such as AT).

Yes, this is true. However, sometimes if you have the box and all other related partsa manufacturer MAY not necessarilly require you to provide proof of original purchase.

As I stated in my original reply to the OP I spoke to a tech - and I actually also spoke to someone in customer service at AMD about what would be required for warranty. I asked about sending in proof of purchase and they said the CPU and the HSF would be enough (matched serial numbers). In this case then, all that MAY be required would be just those two items.

This was the gist of my conversation with two different people at AMD - one in Tech and another in Customer Service. It was easy to "read between the lines" of what both individuals said. No matter what, I am covered, as I am the original purchaser.

Please bear in mind that this is what I was told on the telephone and that I have not had to get warranty service at all. Therefore, anyone who is reading this post please do not take this as the gospel on AMD's warranty.

EDIT: BTW vtqanh, why are you asking this question? Are you the original purchaser? Do you need to RMA a CPU that you are worried they won't cover? If so, what makes you think AMD might not cover it under warranty?

No, I don't have any CPU that might need RMA. I was just reading up some posts about retail heatsink/fan versus aftermarket HSF and the questions just came to my mind.